Goal and goal indicator



- 1,628,364 May 10, 1927. E w. H'ETT GOAL AND GOAL INDICATQR Filed March27. 1925 Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES I EVAN WOODARD HIETT, OF HOUSTON, liISSOURI.

GOAL AND GOAL INDICATOR.

Application filed March 27, 1925.

This invention relates to goal indicators and more particularly to goalindicators for use in. connection with basket-ball games.

The primary object of the invention is to provide both a visible andaudible signal which will indicate to spectators when a goal has beenmade and will obviate disputes and contention to whether the ball passedthrough the goal or not.

Further objects and advantages of: the invention will be set forth inthe detailed dc z-icription which follows.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a goalindicator and goal, constructed in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a diagramimitic view oi. the elcctric wiring employed.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in both of the figures ofthe drawing.

Referring to the drawing, 5 designates a back-stop of any suitable sizeor shape. Braces 6, 7 and 8 support the goal-ring indicated at 9, fromthe back-stop. A second or auxiliary ring, which may be omitted ifdesired, is indicated at 10, and extends from the brace 7 to the brace 8and is additionally supported by a short brace 11, at the front edge ofthe ring 9. A hanger 12 is fixed at the juncture of brace 6 and ring 9and has a forked lower end 13, in which a rod 14 is pivoted. This rodcarries a central metallic disc or plate 15, which is preferablynickel-plated or otherwise highly polished and the reflection fromwhich, when the rod 14: is depressed by the passing of: a. ball throughthe goal, constitutes a visual signal. to the spectators. Rings 16 and17 are so cured to the rod 14 and move therewith; and the outermost ofthese rings is of such a diameter as to insure that a ball cannotpossibly pass through the ring 9, without striking and depressing rod14.

The auxiliary ring serves as a guard. to prevent the ball from passingin and upon the rings and 16 from the side and without passing throughthe goal-ring 9. The inner end of the rod 1.4 carries a counter-weight17, the downward movement of which is limited by a shelf or bracket 18,that is carried by the back-stop. The countor-weight is of such size andweight as to overcome the weight of the rings 15 and 16 and the plate12, and to cause them to normally lie in the elevated positionillustrated in the drawing.

Serial No. 18,738.

The inner end of the rod let carries a. metallic thimble 19, adapted,when the inner end of the rod is elevated, to move upwardly between twoarcuatc metallic contact members 19 and 20. In the present instancethese have been saown as wires bent to the i ropcr term and separated attheir upper ends by an insulating block 21. The lower ends oi thesewires are bent outwardly to form a portion within which the thimble 19may rest, out of contact with the metallic members 19 and 20.

lVhile I have chosen to illustrate these members as being formed. ofwire, it is ob vious that metallic strips may be substituted thcre'tor.if desired. hen the thimble 19 rises between and in contact with themembers 19 and 20, a circuit is completed between these members andthrough a circuit constituted in part by said members and the conductor-23, bell 524:, battery and conductor 26: so that the bell will ring bothdnring the upward and downward movement of the thimble 19. At the sametime a visual signal will be transmitted by reason of themovemcnt of thehighly polished plate 12 as it returns to horizontal position after theball has completely cleared it.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction set forth but that it includes within its purview whateverchanges fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of theappended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a support 0T a hm'izontally disposed. ringconstituting a goal for the passage of a ball. a, horizontally disposedlever located beneath said ring and pivoted intermediate its ends. a,reflecting disc constituting a visual signal secured to the outerportion of said lever and lying, substantially, centrally beneath thering.

2. The combination with asupport. of a. horizontally disposed ringconstituting a goal for the passage of a ball, a horizontally disposedlever located benea h said ring and pivoted intermediate its ends, areflecting disc carried by said lever and constituting both a visualsignal when the lever is tipped and a point of contact for a ballpassing through said goal.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

EVAN WOODARD HIETT.

